Investigation Reveals British Government’s Role in Indigenous Genocide
British colonists perpetrated acts of genocide against the Indigenous population in Victoria, Australia, according to a groundbreaking inquiry led by Aboriginal leaders. The Yoorrook Justice Commission’s report reveals that violence and disease decimated the local Indigenous community by 75% within two decades following colonization in the early 1830s. The commission has put forth 100 recommendations aimed at addressing the historical injustices of colonization, although some authors of the report expressed disagreement with certain key findings.
Historical Context of the Inquiry
Established in 2021, the Yoorrook Justice Commission is Australia’s first formal inquiry dedicated to “truth-telling” about the systemic injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in Victoria. Over four years, the commission provided a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals to share their experiences and stories. The inquiry covered a wide range of issues, including land and water rights, cultural violations, and the impact of colonization on health, education, and housing. The commission’s work is part of a broader national movement advocating for reconciliation between Australia and its Indigenous communities, which includes calls for historical inquiries, treaty-making, and increased political representation for First Nations people.
Findings of the Report
The report highlights a grim history of violence and oppression, stating that from 1834 onwards, Indigenous communities in Victoria faced “mass killings, disease, sexual violence, exclusion, linguicide, cultural erasure, environmental degradation, and child removal.” These factors contributed to what the report describes as the “near-complete physical destruction” of the Indigenous population, which plummeted from approximately 60,000 to 15,000 by 1851. The commission unequivocally labeled these actions as genocide. The findings were based on over two months of public hearings and more than 1,300 submissions, and they call for various forms of “redress,” including potential reparations for human rights violations.
Recommendations for Change
Among the 100 recommendations, the report advocates for a comprehensive overhaul of the education system to incorporate Indigenous perspectives and input. It also calls for a formal apology from the government to Aboriginal soldiers who served in the world wars but were excluded from land grants upon their return. Additionally, the report addresses systemic racism within the state’s health system, urging increased funding for Indigenous health services and initiatives to recruit more Aboriginal staff. While the majority of the commission’s findings were supported, three of the five commissioners expressed reservations about the inclusion of certain key findings in the final report, although they did not provide further details.
Government Response and Broader Implications
In response to the report, the Victorian Labor government stated it would “carefully consider” the findings, with Premier Jacinta Allan acknowledging the report’s role in illuminating difficult truths. Jill Gallagher, the head of Victoria’s peak body for Aboriginal health and wellbeing, affirmed the report’s genocide finding as “indisputable.” She emphasized the collective responsibility of current generations to acknowledge and reconcile with these historical truths. The Yoorrook Justice Commission’s report marks a significant milestone in Australia, although similar inquiries are underway in other states, each facing different levels of progress depending on the political landscape. Recent national debates surrounding Indigenous recognition have intensified, particularly following the rejection of a constitutional change aimed at establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in a referendum held in October 2023.
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